Meeting Ravindra Jadeja’s childhood coach Mahendrasinh Chauhan

By K.R. Nayar in Jamnagar

Over the years I have come across numerous cricket coaches and a few special ones. Mahendrasinh Chauhan, whom I met in Jamnagar soon after the G Force Cricket academy team arrived there to play their matches against Jamnagar District Cricket Association, is one such coach who is different from many others. I had heard many tales about Chauhan, and my interaction with him convinced me that he is indeed a unique coach.

 

Mahendrasinh Chauhan 

Chauhan is the childhood coach of India’s finest allrounder Ravindra Jadeja. It was from him that Jadeja learned the basics of the game though Chauhan does not like to take the credit for grooming Jadeja into an outstanding allrounder.

“I am the coach for the Jamnagar team and that is what I am. I am the coach for every child who comes to me to learn the game,” he remarked. While he accepts that it was he who groomed Jadeja, he refuses to take credit over Jadeja becoming a star player.

 

Gopal Jasapara, head coach of G Force Cricket Academy presents Mahendrasinh Chauhan with  a copy of the book 'A travel into the world of G Force Cricket Academy'

Chauhan, who addresses Jadeja as Ravindra, said: “If I had made Ravindra then I could have made many Ravindra Jadejas. He became a star because he had the talent.”

But Chauhan refused to divulge all that he did to shape young Jadeja into a star. Ravindra Jadeja hails from a poor family since his father was a watchman with no regular income. Those days Chauhan used to work as a policeman, and he virtually brought Jadeja up like his own son providing him all support that the eight-year-old Jadeja needed.

 

The Cricket Bungalow in which Mahendrasinh Chauhan's office is located 

Although Chauhan was a small time cricketer, he was very good in guiding cricketers and teaching them the basics of the game. What makes him stand out is that he provides free coaching for all. In fact, he spends money from his own pocket to groom youngsters.  He runs a fast food outlet, and the money he earns from his business is what he spends on coaching youngsters. As a strict disciplinarian while coaching, he does not let parents into the ground when the sessions are on. No parent is permitted beyond the gate. 

 

All parents need to sign on a stamp paper agreeing to the rules to be followed before enrolling their children  

When I visited his office, I saw a set of rules that Chauhan gets parents to sign, including interfering with the grooming of the child.  Though coaching is free, attendance is mandatory and the process is conducted in a professional manner. Equipments for training like cricket bats and balls often comes in the form of donations from like-minded people.

 

Photo of Ranjitsinghji and his various shots 

The walls of his room in the Cricket Bungalow, which was constructed in 1908, are lined with pictures of Prince of Jamnagar - Ranjitsinghji - playing various shots. There is also a picture of the legendary Indian cricketer Salim Durani, another hero from this place, batting with Sunil Gavaskar as a runner following a leg injury against England in the 1972-73 series at Eden Gardens.

 

Salim Durani's match wining knock with Sunil Gavaskar as a runner 

Everything was ancient in that room including the desk and the chair that Chauhan uses. On the desk is the attendance register of the boys and girls who attend his camp.  Nearly 400 children train at the different nets in the grounds around Cricket Bungalow. It was heartening to see nearly 50 girls training hard at the nets.  Chauhan spends all his time going from one net to the other ensuring everything is going well.

 

One of Chauhan's students, Divyarajsinh, takes pride over his surname Jadeja 

Ravindra Jadeja’s name makes everyone proud in this city. But Chauhan is more happy that Jamnagar is now globally known because of Jadeja. He values it more than any personal recognition that has come his way over grooming Jadeja. Whenever Jadeja comes to train at the Cricket Bungalow, he draws a huge crowd. Even though Chauhan does not train Jadeja now, for Jadeja he remains a father figure just like he is to the students whom he coaches.

This little- known coach believes in grooming as many cricketers as possible and extend Jamnagar’s glory. For him, cricket is more a means to serve the society.